Cuban food pop-up FINCA to appear on BBC’s Million Pound Menu

The team behind Liverpool’s Cuban street food concept FINCA is to appear in BBC Two’s new ‘Million Pound Menu’ series.

Hosted by ‘First Dates’ star Fred Sirieix, the show will see the budding restaurateurs compete for a major investment to help grow their popular food venture.

FINCA, which has popped up at Liverpool venues including Baltic Market and Constellations to serve its food, will try to impress the programme’s expert investors in episode two on 24 May.

FINCA founders Oli Smith, Joe Earnshaw and Michael Harrison believe their take on Cuban street food could follow the likes of Mexican brand Wahaca’s success, and they’re hoping to secure a £150,000 boost in the show to open a restaurant before rolling out nationally.

Aside from serving up signature dishes including its grilled ‘Cubano’ sandwich, the business also aims to lure investors with its potential to generate further revenue as it makes its own marinades, pickles, sauces and syrups.

The FINCA team are looking to lure investment in ‘Million Pound Menu’. Image credit: BBC/Electric Ray.

Four of the show’s interested experts will see them in action in the episode, including Jeremy Roberts, CEO of the Living Ventures restaurant and bar group which is behind brands including The Alchemist, Red Door and Gusto.

Tim Gee, who is tasked with finding new restaurant concepts for property firm Allied London’s estates in Manchester; Imbiba Partnership partner, Darrel Connel; and Lydia Forte of the 5 Star Rocco Forte Hotel group are also among the investors eyeing the FINCA team’s potential during the show.

FINCA is one of 12 food concepts across the series to be given a three-day trial run in a 40-seater pop-up restaurant in the Manchester, in a bid to attract a winning offer that will help their business successfully expand.

Each venture is looking to attract a significant sum of cash from the 10-strong team of prominent business leaders taking part in the show, which also includes MEATliquor co-founder Scott Collins; Chris Miller, founder of restaurant investment vehicle White Rabbit Fund; David Page, chairman of restaurant investor The Fulham Shore; Jamie Barber, who has owned and operated many UK restaurant brands including Kitchen Italia and Villandry; and Shruti Ajitsaria, who manages a portfolio of investments.